Developing a Learning Contract

Learning Objectives • At the end of this session the Teaching Excellence Day participant will be able to:

Developing a Learning Contract

– Describe the benefits to students and preceptors of learning contracts – Given a sample rotation site, design and maintain a learning contract for pharmacy learners

Nina Bemben, PharmD, BCPS Assistant Professor University of Maryland School of Pharmacy J. Bradley Thomas, RPh, BSP Manager Shoppers Pharmacy 2290

Outline • What is a learning contract? • Why have a learning contract? • How to create a learning contract?

What is a Learning Contract • Agreement between preceptor and learner establishing how to achieve goals of the experience • Serves as a framework for discussion and customization • Fulfills ACPE accreditation standards for APPEs – Learning outcomes established – Assess student achievement of competencies – Formative feedback provided to students Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140. ACPE Standards 2016.

Is a Learning Contract Required? • “Preceptors may incorporate these [rotation activities and responsibilities] into site-specific learning contracts and provide a copy to the student at orientation, first day of rotation, by email or post on the preceptor profile on Rxprecptor (CORE ELMS).”

Preceptor Responsibilities • • • • • • • • • •

University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Experiential Learning Program: Preceptor Orientation/Training: Policies and Procedures Manual. 2016.

Keep site and preceptor profile up to date Ensure student meets learning objectives of experiential course by through receiving required experiences Promote active learning through facilitating discussion Provide individualized instruction, guidance, supervision, and assessment through student interactions Provide students with regular feedback and assessment using RxPreceptor system Provide timely documentation of student performance, including completion of midpoint and final evaluations Provide adequate instructional time to students Provide requested information to course manager and/or Experiential Learning Program Office Regularly participate in preceptor development and training and complete requirements in Rxpreceptor Maintain membership and a state and/or national pharmacy organization

University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Experiential Learning Program: Preceptor Orientation/Training: Policies and Procedures Manual. 2016.

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Developing a Learning Contract

Preceptor Responsibilities • • • • • • • • • •

Keep site and preceptor profile up to date Ensure student meets learning objectives of experiential course by through receiving required experiences Promote active learning through facilitating discussion Provide individualized instruction, guidance, supervision, and assessment through student interactions Provide students with regular feedback and assessment using RxPreceptor system Provide timely documentation of student performance, including completion of midpoint and final evaluations Provide adequate instructional time to students Provide requested information to course manager and/or Experiential Learning Program Office Regularly participate in preceptor development and training and complete requirements in Rxpreceptor Maintain membership and a state and/or national pharmacy organization

University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Experiential Learning Program: Preceptor Orientation/Training: Policies and Procedures Manual. 2016.

Benefits of Learning Contracts: Benefits to Learners • Enable learners to achieve performance objectives through – Holding learners accountable – Providing motivation

Benefits of Learning Contracts • Set expectations and goals – Identify smaller goals that can be met each day – Identify unmet goals throughout rotation to focus remaining time

• Provide a platform for discussing preferred learning/teaching styles – Path to achieving desired outcomes can be customized for individual learner

Biagioli FE and Chappelle KG. How to be an efficient and effective preceptor: It is possible to do the important work of precepting students and

still get home in time for dinner. Fam Pract Manag. 2010; 17(3):18.

Benefits of Learning Contracts: Benefits to Preceptors • Provide framework to address variation in: – Preferred learning style – Motivation – Expectations

• Establishes a collaboration between learner and preceptor • Encourage student self-assessment • Improve autonomy and motivation

• May enhance ability of preceptor to address deficiencies in knowledge or skills • Learners assume more responsibility for training experience

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Benefits of Learning Contracts: Benefits to Preceptors

Benefits of Learning Contracts: Benefits to Preceptors

• Provide background about rotation site – Consult service – Patient population – Location and typical schedule

• Learning objectives and activities – Students take responsibility for achieving objectives and participating in activities

• Creating a valuable asset to the profession • Creating a valuable team member able to assist and learn at your workplace • Learning new information taught in school thus improving your skill set • Creating/finding your replacement/partner

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

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Developing a Learning Contract

How to Create a Learning Contract

How to Create a Learning Contract

• Process • Resources

• Am I passionate about teaching? • Can I effectively educate any student? • What do I have to offer: my strengths and opportunities? • What tools or people do I have to assist me? • Can I be objective in my assessments? • Is my contract dynamic or static?

– Rx Preceptor contains sample learning contracts for community and health systems settings

Components • • • • • • •

Description Goals Objectives Strategies Assessments Schedule Consequences for breach

Description • Contact information • Rotation site background information – Location – Patient population – Logistic information – Requirements

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Goals/Outcomes • Desired aim of the rotation • Defined by course syllabus – Assessed through Rxpreceptor evaluations

Objectives • Identify the process by which learning will occur and competence demonstrated – Specific to rotation

• Allow learner to achieve long-term goals • May involve the learner to determine how best to achieve goals

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

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Developing a Learning Contract

Strategies/Learning Activities • Define how objectives will be achieved • Consider learner strengths, challenges, and expectations to identify effective strategies • May include specific assignments or projects

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Schedule • Key deadlines and intermediate time points – Project completion – Progression in responsibilities – Feedback

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Assessments • Outcome measures – Demonstrate achievement of learning objectives

• Grading process

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Other Content • Policies and procedures for breach of contract • Accountability • Ensure professionalism – Mobile technology policy – Honor Code

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

Your Turn!

Keys to Successful Implementation

Work with the person sitting next to you to develop a learning contract (based on 1 goal) for one of your practice sites. Remember to identify: • Goal • Objective(s) • Strategy • Assessment

• Orient learner to contract • Set expectations at the beginning of a rotation – Set the tone for professional communication and feedback

• Revise/finalize contract based on individual learner needs and feedback • Encourage self-reflection

Robles J. Student learning contracts: considerations for implementation in pharmacy experiential experiences. J Pharma Care Health Syst. 2015;2:135-140.

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Developing a Learning Contract

Comments? Questions?

Developing a Learning Contract Nina Bemben, PharmD, BCPS Assistant Professor University of Maryland School of Pharmacy J. Bradley Thomas, RPh, BSP Manager Shoppers Pharmacy 2290

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